Comments (14)

The dr or mw uses their fingers to gently separate the amniotic sac from the uterine wall. That releases prostaglandins, which can start labor.
There are risks of infection, and of breaking the water accidently, so it shouldn't be considered until you are past your due date IMO, but some drs try at 37 wks.

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H(26) +P(33) =B(4)J(2) &M(0)

"I might just decide I want to have a cunt one day and a twat the next."

What pp said. And it doesn't work if your body isn't ready to go into labor. My ob offered to do it at 39 weeks but I declined. I got it done at 40+5 and had my girl the next day, I think it helped and I was already 5 cm dilated. I wouldn't have done it earlier or if I wasn't dilated much.

My midwife did an exam at my 37 weeks visit and it hurt really bad and she twisted her fingers around in there (unlike the midwife I saw the week before). The next 3 days I bled and there was clear chunks in it. I'm not sure but I think that's what she tried to do. It's been a week and although I feel some changes like light cramping and back pain when I lay down I don't think it is coming anytime soon.

I've had mine done at 38+ weeks with both of my other LO's and I absolutely will with this one too!! My water never broke,(in fact never has broken until around 10 min. before babes are out) nor was it painful for me. Your midwife/Dr. should know when your body is ready and if it's not time they should tell you-ask if you are not sure! It just aids in getting things moving when your body is ready. I've had the babes within a day both times. Listen to your body. I've had natural labor and deliveries both times as well.

My midwife kept doing this while i was in labor and i swear it hurt more than anything I've ever felt. Seriously, my contractions, which were induced with pitocin, did not feel like anything but period cramps. In fact, i was gonna do a natural birth until she kept doing cervical checks and i gave in to an epidural. I WON'T be having it done this time

I literally just realized today that my Dr has been doing this the past four or five times I have been checked. At first I thought he was stretching me to help dilate. But today he had a trainee and told him he was stripping my membranes.

My mw did this once a week starting at 38 weeks including the day my dd was born. It worked great the last time it was done, really gotmy labor going. the sweeping at 38 and 39 weeks didn't do much other then give me some contractions.

I plan to have my OB do it for me with this lo starting at 38 weeks again.

I feel that unless your body is ready it won't do much anyway, so it doesn't hurt to try.